Mael ChiropracticChiropractor for back pain relief, acupressure and acupuncture.617-903-8925

Questions to Ask before Hiring a Physical Therapist

A physical therapist can be an important professional when you are healing from a sports injury or recovering from an illness or surgery. These health care providers offer ways to manage pain and improve mobility so you can return to activities you once enjoyed. Before you hire a physical therapist for your rehabilitation, ask these questions to find the best professional for your needs.

What types of physical and occupational therapy do you offer?
Because there are many types of physical therapy available, choose an office that specializes in the specific therapy you need. Whether you are looking for sports rehabilitation, aquatic exercise classes or respiratory therapy, you can find a technician and clinic to meet your needs.

What are your credentials?
All physical therapists must be licensed by the state they practice in, so this is a must when shopping for a medical clinic. Some therapists are also certified by an organization like the American Physical Therapy Association, which is a definite plus for patients looking for the best possible therapy clinic.

Where are you located?
The location of the physical therapy clinic is important, because you may be traveling to the location multiple times a week. If you are dealing with chronic pain, a sports injury or respiratory problems, the distance can become a signficant factor in making it to your appointments.

Who will I see during my sessions?
In some cases, the physical or occupational therapist will provide all of the treatments, but some clinics use technicians and assistants as well. Make sure you will be seeing the actual therapist through most of your sessions, to be sure you get the highest quality of treatment possible.

American PhysicalIf you are a licensed physical therapist, make sure you have a membership to our association. Offering valuable resources, continuing education, and business development to improve the industry.

American Massage Therapy AssociationOur massage therapy association was established to provide support to schools, businesses, and licensed industry professionals. Make sure your business gets more recognition from our association membership.

American Medical Massage AssociationOur association aims to promote the growing field of medical massage, especially in physical therapy. Get endless benefits and no side effects from medical massage therapy and treatment.

"The staff is wonderful always willing to work with me to fit me into their schedule.Since i have a hectic one myself i am usually late or i forget about my appointments but they take the time to work with me through my injury i have been coming there for 2 months now and i am feeling much better than i did when i 1st started. ..."

"I've had back problems for years and the MedX machine really seemed to help me where nothing else did. Shannon is very patient and very willing to help where I couldn't find that any other place I went. ..."

If you are interested in physical therapy, there are several careers you can choose from.

The first and most obvious is to become a physical therapist. You will help people with chronic pain and sports injuries find relief. You might work at a health clinic or a hospital, under the supervision of a doctor. On a daily basis you might help someone manage their back or neck muscle pain. This could be through aquatic therapy or electrical stimulation. You might even explore myofascial release.

You could also explore respiratory therapy. As a respiratory technician, you will use physiotherapy to help people with chronic or injury-based breathing problems. You might work in a medical clinic or hospital, performing breathing exercises with your patients.

Perhaps you would like to become an occupational therapist. An occupational therapist is a technician that helps people regain normalcy in their daily lives. For example, they might help someone with a recovering sports injury in their knees or hips learn to walk in safe, painless way. Or they can work with someone with a shoulder injury to show them the best way to open the car door without hurting themselves.

You could even explore orthopedics and help patients with muscle and skeletal problems through simple outpatient programs. You will help provide them with pain relief through various stimulation techniques.

While the specific schooling for all of these positions is different, they all require an advanced degree and in-depth training. To learn more about physical therapy careers talk to your local physical therapy professionals, or college admissions office.